NHSCT - Senior Dental Officer, Northern Trust Area
Reference: 56027266
Branch: Northern HSC Trust Area
Location: Northern Trust Area
Salary: (See job details)
Contract Type: Permanent
Opening date: 13/11/26
Closes: Fri, 27 November 2026 @ 4:00 PM
Interview Dates: Interviews will be held on Monday 16th December 2026
Notes: A waiting list may be compiled for similar permanent/temporary, full/part time posts which may arise within the next 9 months.

Flexible Working
Successful applicants have the opportunity to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of Flexible Working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations, what provisions are available depends on the role being undertaken. Find out more

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Senior Dental Officer
Special Care Dentistry
NHSCT

The below diagram details the values and associated behaviours that we expect staff working within Health and Social Care (HSC) to display at all times.

HSC Values

• Working Together: We work together for the best outcome for people we care for and support, recognising that leadership is the responsibility of all.
• Compassion: We are sensitive, caring, respectful and understanding towards those we care for and support and our colleagues.
• Excellence: We commit to being the best we can be in our work, aiming to improve and develop services to achieve positive changes.
• Openness and Honesty: We are open and honest with each other and act with integrity and candour.

Job Details
Job Title: Senior Dental Officer - Special Care Dentistry
Band: M432
Initial Location: Trustwide
Reports To: Clinical Director, Dental Services
Accountable To: Assistant Director, Surgery, Women's Health and Diagnostic Services

Job Summary
The post holder, in conjunction with the Clinical Director and Senior Dental Officer colleagues, will be responsible for planning, delivering and developing accessible, high-quality dental services for patients with additional and special care needs across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

The post holder will provide comprehensive dental care for patients who are unable to access General Dental Services due to complex medical, physical, psychological, behavioural or social needs. Care may be provided within community clinics, domiciliary settings and hospital environments as required.

As a Senior Dental Officer, the post holder will exercise a significant degree of clinical autonomy and provide professional and clinical leadership within Community Dental Services. The post holder will contribute to service planning, workforce development, governance, quality improvement, digital transformation and regional service initiatives.

The post holder will support the delivery and ongoing development of General Anaesthetic and Sedation Services and contribute to the development of sustainable care pathways to improve patient access, maximise clinical capacity, support waiting list management and ensure service resilience.

The post holder will utilise the Encompass Electronic Patient Record system and act as a clinical champion for digital transformation within Community Dental Services.

Designated leadership responsibilities will include acting or deputising as Dental Service Lead for Radiology and representing Community Dental Services on the Trust Water Safety Group as required.

Subject to service need and available funding, the post holder may have the opportunity to undertake further training and competency development in Intravenous Sedation to support continuing service development and improved patient access.

Clinical Responsibilities

• To have shared responsibility as part of the Senior Dental Officer Team for the delivery of high-quality dental services for adults and children with additional and special care needs throughout the Trust.
• The post holder will have responsibility, as part of the Senior Dental Officer Team, for coordinating and delivering a full range of dental services for patients with learning disability, physical disability, sensory impairment, significant anxiety, complex medical conditions and those who are otherwise unable to access General Dental Services. The range of patients is outlined within the Northern Ireland Community Dental Service Scope of Practice.
• To assess, diagnose, treatment plan and provide appropriate dental care for patients with complex dental, medical and social needs.
• To participate in the delivery of General Anaesthetic and Sedation Services for adults and children with additional and special care needs, as required.
• To participate as an extracting dentist on the General Anaesthetic rota at Antrim and Causeway Hospitals.
• To participate in the assessment and management of patients requiring behavioural support, anxiety management and sedation techniques.
• To support the development and implementation of sustainable clinical pathways that improve patient access and support timely delivery of care.
• To accept referrals of complex cases from Community Dental Services, General Dental Practitioners, Hospital Consultants and other healthcare professionals.
• To work collaboratively with Hospital Dental Consultants including Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics and Special Care Dentistry Services.
• To support the future development of sedation and anxiety management services and, where appropriate, undertake additional training in Intravenous Sedation in line with service requirements.

Leadership, Governance and Service Development

• To participate in Community Dental Service Peer Review activities and facilitate meetings as required.
• To have lead responsibility for developing processes, procedures and quality standards within allocated governance areas.
• To provide professional and clinical leadership within Community Dental Services.
• To contribute to service planning, redesign and continuous improvement initiatives at Trust and regional level.
• To contribute to workforce planning, succession planning, recruitment and retention initiatives within Community Dental Services.
• To support the training, supervision and professional development of dentists, Dental Therapists, Dental Hygienists, Dental Nurses and other Dental Care Professionals.
• To provide professional support, mentorship and clinical leadership to Dental Care Professionals working within Community Dental Services.
• To establish and contribute to training programmes for Community Dentists and Dental Care Professionals and support compliance with General Dental Council Continuing Professional Development requirements.
• To help organise the training of undergraduate dental students in exodontia and restorative dentistry, as required.
• To supervise undergraduate and postgraduate dental placements and teaching programmes in conjunction with the School of Dentistry, Queen's University Belfast and other education providers.
• To contribute to Trust-wide and regional service development initiatives, supporting improvements in patient pathways, access to care, waiting list management and service sustainability.
• To contribute to the development and implementation of initiatives designed to improve patient access, maximise clinical capacity, reduce waiting times and ensure the effective use of resources across Community Dental Services.
• To support implementation of regional referral pathways, service standards and clinical policies.
• To represent Community Dental Services on regional short-life working groups, professional networks and service development groups, as required.
• To undertake delegated management responsibilities as identified by the Clinical Director.
• To represent Community Dental Services on the Trust Water Safety Group as required.
• To help provide professional leadership regarding the implementation of the Trust Water Safety Policy within dental facilities.
• To support monitoring, governance and quality assurance of dental unit water systems.
• To work collaboratively with Estates, Infection Prevention and Control and other relevant departments regarding water safety standards and compliance requirements.
• To attend relevant Trust committees, working groups and regional forums as required.

Quality Improvement, Audit and Research

• To lead and participate in quality improvement initiatives designed to improve patient outcomes, patient experience, efficiency and access to care.
• To undertake clinical audit, service evaluation and quality assurance activities and make recommendations for service improvement.
• To contribute to the development of standards, protocols and guidelines supporting high-quality Community Dental Services.
• To participate in research, audit, quality improvement and service evaluation activities where appropriate.
• To support innovation and adoption of evidence-based practice within Community Dental Services.

Radiology Lead Responsibilities

• To act or deputise as Dental Service Lead for Radiology.
• To ensure compliance with relevant legislation, including IR(ME)R, professional standards and Trust policies relating to radiography.
• To provide leadership in relation to radiology governance, quality assurance, audit, equipment governance and staff training.
• To oversee radiography quality assurance programmes and support continuous improvement in radiological practice.
• To liaise with Radiation Protection Advisers, Medical Physics and relevant governance teams, as required.

Encompass and Digital Transformation

• To utilise the Encompass Electronic Patient Record system in accordance with Trust policies and professional standards.
• To help with the implementation, optimisation and ongoing development of Encompass within Community Dental Services.
• To contribute to the development of electronic clinical documentation, reporting systems and governance processes.
• To support the development and implementation of digital clinical pathways and data reporting systems to inform service planning, quality assurance and waiting list management.
• To promote effective digital working practices and support service transformation initiatives.

Other Duties

• To carry out any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as directed by the Clinical Director.

General Management Responsibilities

• Review annually the performance of immediate staff and support their professional development.
• Participate in recruitment, selection, training and appraisal processes.
• Promote effective communication, staff engagement and team working.
• Ensure compliance with Trust policies, professional standards and statutory requirements.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery and staff management.
• Maintain effective governance and risk management arrangements.
• Support service improvement, organisational change and transformation programmes.
• Promote staff wellbeing, continuous learning and a culture of openness and improvement.

General Responsibilities

• Provide a caring, respectful and professional service at all times.
• Demonstrate the HSC values of Working Together, Excellence, Openness and Honesty and Compassion.
• Carry out duties in a manner that promotes patient safety.
• Comply with all Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures.
• Adhere to all Trust policies and statutory requirements.
• Promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.
• Support effective team working and a culture of openness and transparency.
• Act in accordance with the Trust's Raising Concerns Policy.
• Support learning and improvement arising from incidents, complaints and concerns.

Records Management
All employees are legally responsible for records held, created or used as part of their duties and must comply with Trust policies relating to Information Governance, Data Protection and Records Management.

• Utilise the Encompass Electronic Patient Record system in accordance with Trust policies and professional standards.
• Contribute to the development, implementation and optimisation of clinical documentation, digital workflows and reporting processes within Encompass.
• Promote the effective use of digital systems to support patient care, governance, audit, service planning and service improvement.

Salary
£81,721 – £95,581 as per current T&C's per annum (pro-rata for part-time)

Hours
Normal full-time hours of duty are 37.5 hours per week, exclusive of meal times. Up to 37.5 hours per week negotiable. We expect managers to work such hours as are necessary for the full performance of their duties including cover as may be necessary to manage the service if colleagues are absent.

Medical
Appointment will be subject to a successful pre-employment health assessment.

Holidays
27 days each year; 29 days after 5 years' service; 33 days after 10 years' service and 10 statutory and public holidays.

Pension
The post-holder can participate in the Health Social Care Pension Scheme.

Northern Trust Benefits
You can explore the benefits on offer to you in the Northern Trust by clicking here.

Pay Protection
Legacy Trust Staff who apply for a promotion after 1 April 2011 should be aware that they will lose their legacy protection arrangements and will be entitled to pay protection in accordance with circular HSS (JNF)(1) 2011. This circular will also apply to legacy staff who are currently in receipt of protection and who move post on promotion.

Criminal Offences, Investigation and Charges
Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with the Trust. This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences or other information contained on a disclosure certificate. Where it is necessary to obtain an Access NI disclosure the Trust operates in line with the Access NI Code of Practice.

Closing Date
Completed application forms should be submitted via the jobs portal or returned to Medical Resourcing, Holywell Hospital, 60 Steeple Road, Antrim, BT41 2RJ on or before the closing date. Canvassing, either directly or indirectly, will be an absolute disqualification.

Personnel Specification
Title of Post: Senior Dental Officer, Special Care Dentistry
Band of Post: M432

Essential Criteria

• Registered dental qualification.
• Registered with the General Dental Council UK.
• 5 years post qualification clinical experience in the Community Dental Service, General Dental Service or Hospital Dental Service.
• 3 years' experience carrying out dental treatment, dental extractions or full mouth conservation treatment under general anaesthetic services.
• Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment (waived for applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a Trust-approved form of transport).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead and motivate teams.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to contribute to service planning and development.
• Knowledge of Community Dental Services.
• Knowledge of Special Care Dentistry and issues affecting patients with additional needs.
• Knowledge of current dental practice, governance requirements and healthcare developments.

Value Based Recruitment
Value Based Recruitment is a process adopted by the Northern Trust to attract and select employees on the basis that their individual values and behaviours align with those of the Trust. It focuses on the how and why people do what they do. Candidates who are short-listed for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required knowledge, skills, competencies and values to be effective in this new role.

Essential Leadership Capabilities
The successful candidate will need to provide evidence and demonstrate their Leadership capabilities against the required dimension on the NHS Leadership framework. Particular attention will be given to Leading with care, Sharing the vision, Engaging the team and Holding to account.